NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I | NNH25ZTR001N 26NIAC A1

Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH25ZTR001N 26NIAC A1

NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I is a NASA Headquarters funding opportunity released as an appendix under the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) NASA Research Announcement called "Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion (SpaceTech REDDI 2025)" (solicitation number NNH25ZTR001N). The NIAC program is NASA's early-stage incubator for high-risk, high-reward ideas that are still far from flight readiness but are grounded in credible science and engineering. Phase I specifically funds initial feasibility studies of visionary advanced concepts, with the broader NIAC program structured to potentially continue promising ideas into later Phase II and Phase III efforts.

The Phase I application process is structured in two steps. Step A is a short, open submission that anyone eligible may submit, and it is used as the initial screen. Step B is a longer, more detailed proposal that only selected Step A submitters are invited to provide. For this cycle, the Step A deadline is July 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM Eastern, and the invited Step B target deadline is October 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM Eastern. Because Step B is invitation-only, the practical path is to treat Step A as the true gate: if Step A is not submitted on time and in the required format, there is no route to Step B consideration.

Eligibility is broadly open. All categories of U.S. organizations may apply under this open announcement, and the listing indicates "Eligible Applicants: Others, Unrestricted," meaning NASA is not limiting applicants to a narrow institution type. Non-U.S. organizations are allowed to participate either as partners or even as study leads, but only on a no-exchange-of-funds basis and only if the arrangement complies with NASA policy on foreign participation as described in the broader SpaceTech REDDI 2025 NRA. In other words, international participation is possible, but NASA funding generally flows to U.S. recipients, and foreign participation is handled carefully through policy and compliance requirements.

Applications must be submitted electronically through NASA's NSPIRES system, and submission must be made by an authorized organizational representative (AOR), not just an individual researcher. NASA strongly encourages proposers to register early in NSPIRES, confirm organizational and AOR access, and upload materials well before the deadline to avoid last-minute system or authorization issues. Detailed formatting and submission rules are not contained in the brief summary itself; they are provided in the SpaceTech REDDI 2025 NRA and the NASA Proposer's Guide, which function as the governing instructions for how proposals must be prepared and transmitted.

Funding details in the source data indicate this is a grant opportunity categorized under science and technology and other research and development (CFDA 43.012). The Phase I award ceiling is listed as $175,000, and NASA expects to make about 12 awards in this cycle. While the ceiling provides the maximum, actual awards can vary depending on the proposal scope and what NASA deems appropriate for a Phase I feasibility study.

For official documents, updates, and amendments, NASA directs applicants to the NSPIRES page associated with the NIAC Phase I appendix (program element NNH25ZTR001N-26NIACA1). Any changes to requirements, dates, or instructions are expected to appear there, so proposers are encouraged to check regularly or subscribe to NSPIRES notifications. Questions about technical, programmatic, or procurement topics can be sent to hq-niac@mail.nasa.gov, and NASA may compile answers into an FAQ posted to the NSPIRES page while keeping questioners anonymous.

• The NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.012.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-06-30.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-07-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $175,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others, Unrestricted.

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